Narco- Terrorism

Narco- Terrorism

Context:

• The Jammu and Kashmir administration dismissed six government employees, including five policemen, on charges of narco-terrorism, without an inquiry. 
• They were fired under Article 311 (2) (c) of the Constitution, which permits dismissal without inquiry if it concerns state security.

More in news:

• This termination brings the total number of such terminations to 74 since abrogation of article 370.
• The dismissed employees were creating a drug syndicate with a widespread and efficient network and are viewed as collaborating with adversaries to generate funds that are then used to sustain the terrorist-secessionist ecosystem in the Union Territory.

Narco terrorism:

• Narcoterrorism has been defined as an “alliance between drug producers and an insurgent group carrying out terrorist attacks”. 

Origin 

• The term itself was coined in 1983 by the then president of Peru, Fernando Belaúnde, to describe the violent acts carried out by organised criminal syndicates against anti-narcotics law enforcement agencies in Latin America.

Rising Narcoterrorism in Punjab and J&K

• Reasons for rise in narcoterrorism:
• Pakistan’s inclusion in the FATF grey list led to its expanded use of narcotics to support terrorism in J&K.
• Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was collaborating with Khalistani terrorists involving  Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists based in Pakistan and over ground workers (OGWs) in Kashmir.
• Disrupting Terror Finance Networks in Kashmir:Since the abrogation of Article 370, security agencies have intensified efforts to disrupt these funding channels by seizing or freezing assets of separatists and terror outfits.
• Notable Incidents:

• Apr 2021: NIA charged seven people linked to Babbar Khalsa International for drug-funded terrorism.
• Apr 2022: Cross-border terror syndicate linked to Hizbul Mujahideen was uncovered .
• In 2022-23, J&K police registered 26 narcoterrorism cases, with LeT being linked to 17 of these cases.

Impact of Narco-Terrorism:

Social Impact: 

• The increase in drug use is disrupting social fabric and causing significant harm to the youth.
• Increased Violence and Insecurity: Narco-terrorism heightens violence, destabilising communities, instilling fear, and disrupting daily life.
• Erosion of Trust in Institutions: Corruption and involvement of organised crime in drug trafficking undermine public trust in government institutions.
• Displacement and Refugee Crises: Violence and instability from narco-terrorism lead to population displacement and refugee crises, straining local resources.
• Economic Consequences
• Strain on Local Economies: Drug trade distorts economies, harms legitimate businesses, and causes job losses.
• Increased Costs for Law Enforcement: Significant resources are diverted to combat narco-terrorism, affecting essential services like education and healthcare.
• Threat to National Security: Narco-terrorism funds terrorist operations, creating violence that affects regional security.

Health Implications: 

• Public Health Crisis: Increased drug use leads to addiction, disease spread, and burdens on healthcare systems.
• Geopolitical Ramifications:Regional Instability: Narco-terrorism destabilised regions, impeding international cooperation and development.

Challenges faced by Indian Government to tackle narcoterrorism:

• India faces complex narcoterrorism challenges due to its strategic location between the Golden Crescent and Golden Triangle, and ongoing insurgencies. 
• Drug Routes: Drug smuggling routes often overlap with those used by terrorist groups, with support from Pakistani agencies. 

• The Northeast states of India serve as key transit points for drugs from the Golden Triangle, while Myanmar’s recent turmoil has increased opium production and trafficking into India.

• Afghanistan: Despite a 2022 Taliban ban on opium cultivation, Afghanistan remains a major opium producer. 

• The Haqqani Network is involved in drug trafficking, including fentanyl.

• Maritime Routes: There’s a rise in maritime drug trafficking. 
• Novel Smuggling Techniques: Drug traffickers are using drones and underwater drones for smuggling. 

• Issues like corruption, inadequate capacity, and poor coordination among agencies. 

• Drug trade’s overlap with other criminal activities, such as human trafficking and counterfeit currency smuggling. 

• The presence of drugs on darknet marketplaces and corruption within security forces further complicate efforts.

• Operational coordination between central and state agencies remains inconsistent, and corruption among personnel has been noted, with several arrests in Punjab for drug smuggling. 

• The rising consumption of drugs in India exacerbates the issue, as does the low conviction rate under the NDPS Act, which undermines deterrence.

Steps taken by Indian Government:

• Addressing Drug Abuse in J&K

Emerging Trend in Narco-Terrorism: Cryptocurrency Terrorist groups are increasingly using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin to evade crackdowns on traditional funding sources. Cryptocurrencies offer anonymity and direct transactions, eliminating intermediaries and improving financial efficiency.

• The central government halted cross-border trade routes used for smuggling drugs and arms. The Ramban-Banihal National Highway has become a key route for drug trafficking connected to Pakistan-based smugglers.
• Efforts include expanding rehabilitation programs like those at the Drug De-Addiction Centre in Srinagar, setting up counselling centres, and conducting awareness seminars. 
• Operation Sadbhawna by the Indian Army focuses on de-addiction and drug awareness camps. 
• The Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir campaign, launched by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, emphasises a zero-tolerance policy against drugs.
• The National Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has been working to enhance coordination between central and state agencies, as well as with the Indian Coast Guard, under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of 1985.
• Since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has focused on improving inter-agency coordination through the Multi-Agency Centre (MAC) and the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD). 
• These bodies facilitate the sharing of intelligence and data on drug trafficking and terrorism. 
• Additionally, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) addresses terrorist financing, especially in Jammu and Kashmir.
• Internationally, India is cooperating with organisations like Interpol and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to combat drug-related terrorism. 
• India has also signed 44 bilateral agreements with various countries to enhance drug-related cooperation and information sharing.

Way Forward to Curb Narco-Terrorism:

• Legal Reforms: Create standalone narcoterrorism legislation to empower agencies, expedite prosecutions, and eliminate distinctions that benefit traffickers. 
• Amend the NDPS Act to extend preventive detention from one to two years and establish dedicated courts with clear case timelines. 
• Consider decriminalising traditional narcotics like cannabis.
• NIA Role: To enhance its investigative capabilities, the NIA should include the NDPS Act in its list of scheduled offences.
• Forensics and Technology: Expand forensic capabilities to address synthetic drugs and improve tracking of suspicious transactions. 
• Utilise advanced technologies like AI and blockchain to disrupt terrorist financing.
• Diplomatic Efforts: Address Pakistani state involvement in narcoterrorism diplomatically by presenting evidence to global platforms like the FATF and UN.
• Additionally, anti-drone technology needs significant upgrades to address Pakistan’s use of drones for smuggling narcotics into J&K.
• Accelerating the development of indigenous anti-drone solutions with DRDO and private-sector support is crucial.